An Army of the People: The Constitution of an Effective Force of Trained Citizens is a book written by John McAuley Palmer in 1916. The book is a guide on how to create a well-trained citizen army that can be called upon in times of war or emergency. Palmer, a former Civil War general and governor of Illinois, believed that a citizen army was necessary for national defense and that every citizen had a duty to be prepared to defend their country. The book outlines the steps needed to create an effective citizen army, including the training of officers, the organization of units, and the development of a system for mobilization. Palmer also discusses the importance of physical fitness and the need for a strong moral code among soldiers. The book was written during a time of great international tension, as World War I was raging in Europe. The United States had not yet entered the war, but many believed it was only a matter of time before they would be called upon to fight. An Army of the People was intended to be a practical guide for citizens who wanted to prepare themselves for military service and for those who wanted to help organize and train a citizen army. Overall, An Army of the People is a fascinating look at the history of military training and the role of citizens in national defense. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in military history or the development of citizen armies.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.